Red Cross blood drive to honor Missouri child Kyle Hughes

Missouri-Illinois

May 15, 2014

POTOSI, Mo. (May 15, 2014) — By all appearances, 12-year-old Kyle Hughes is an average child. He enjoys playing video games and sports, being outside and participating in any number of activities a child his age would enjoy. However, because of his juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, those games and activities don’t always come easily.

“I look healthy on the outside, but I am no longer able to play football,” Kyle said.

Because of his arthritis and the medications required to treat it, Kyle’s bones have become brittle, resulting in multiple broken bones. Kyle’s mother, Kim Hughes, says perhaps worse than the arthritis diagnosis is the lack of awareness about the condition.

“When you think of arthritis, you think of your grandmother. People don’t realize it can happen to children,” she said.

That lack of awareness is what inspired Kim to host an American Red Cross blood drive in Kyle’s honor.

“This way we can collect blood for the Red Cross and educate people about this condition,” she said.

Kyle Hughes Blood Drive

May 30 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Potosi Southern Baptist Church

10165 West Highway 8 in Potosi, Mo.

Donors of all types are needed this spring, especially those with types O positive, O negative, B negative or A negative.

How to donate blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.